Broom and mop combination systems

ABSTRACT

Broom and mop combination system includes a broom and mop assembly having a broom-member, a mop-member, a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a hinged member, and a handle. The mop-member and broom-member are located on opposite sides of the shaft and may be used interchangeably. The broom and mop assembly is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to cleaning devices. In particular, broom and mop combinations are described.

Known brooms and mops are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing cleaning devices do not provide a fully functional broom and mop combination and thus must be used separately which may be inconvenient. In addition, conventional cleaning devices suffer from drawbacks. Brooms merely move dry particulates from one area of a floor surface to another. A broom will not pick up or adhere such particulates for disposal. Mops require that mop heads be cleaned or replaced with expensive substitutes. Paper towels and the like require a person to bend over for cleaning a floor surface and are thus not advisable for cleaning large floor surfaces. Moreover, it is undesirable to store both a mop and broom as they require a significant amount of storing space. A suitable solution is desired.

Thus, there exists a need for broom and mop combinations that improve upon and advance the design of known brooms and mops. Examples of new and useful brooms and mops relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of references relevant to brooms and mops include U.S. Patent References: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,446,814, 20140047655, and 8,984,702. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to broom and mop combination system including a broom and mop assembly having a broom-member, a mop-member, a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a hinged member, and a handle. The broom and mop assembly is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool. The broom and mop combination system includes the mop-member and the broom-member located on opposite sides of the shaft and may be used interchangeably. The broom and mop combination assembly is able to be manipulated such that either of the broom-member, and mop-member can be used interchangeably. The broom-member, and mop-member rotate in relation to each other about an axis. In some further examples, broom and mop combination system includes a locking mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a broom and mop combination system in an in-use condition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the broom and mop combination system shown in FIG. 1 depicting a broom-member, and a mop-member forming a broom and mop assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the broom and mop assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the broom and mop assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the broom and mop assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the broom and mop assembly.

FIG. 7A is another perspective view of an embodiment of the broom and mop assembly.

FIG. 7B is another perspective view of an embodiment of the broom and mop assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed broom and mop combination system will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various broom and mop combination systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a first example of a broom and mop combination system 100, broom and mop combination system 100, will now be described. Broom and mop combination system 100 functions to provide a ‘broom and mop combination’ to eliminate the need for multiple tools while cleaning. The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that broom and mop combination system 100 addresses shortcomings of conventional brooms and mops.

For example, broom and mop combination system 100 provides one cleaning device for both mopping and sweeping thus effectively eliminating the need for multiple cleaning tools. Further, broom and mop combination system 100 conveniently allows a user to switch between mopping and sweeping by flipping between the mop-member and the broom-member. Certain embodiments may comprise telescoping means for length adjustment and letting mop-member 130 pull down into shaft 140 (mop member 130) for non-use periods. Broom-member 120 may fold together during non-use periods. Broom-member 120 may be ‘flipped up’ when mop member 130 is being used. Mop member 130 may be moved up and down in relation to shaft 140.

Broom and mop combination system 100 includes a broom and mop assembly 110 including a broom-member 120, a mop-member 130, a shaft 140 having a distal end 142, a proximal end 144, a hinged member 150, and a handle 160.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-5, Broom and mop combination system 100 includes a broom and mop assembly 110 including a broom-member 120, a mop-member 130, a shaft 140 having a distal end 142, a proximal end 144, a hinged member 150, and a handle 160. The broom and mop combination system 100 comprises the broom and mop assembly 110. The broom and mop assembly 110 comprises the broom-member 120, the mop-member 130, the shaft 140, and the handle 160 in functional combination. The shaft 140 is defined by the distal end 142, the proximal end 144, and comprises the hinged member 150 for allowing rotation of the broom-member 120. The handle 160 may be used to manipulate the mop-member 130 and is preferably located at the distal-end 142 of the shaft 140 and the mop-member 130 is located near the proximal end 144 of the shaft 140. The broom-member 120 may be (hand) manipulated in relative orientation by rotating the broom-member 120 to an in-use position (shown in FIG. 1) via the hinged member 150. The broom and mop assembly 110 is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool for use of the combination to clean floor surfaces and the like.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the mop-member 130 may comprise a string-mop, sponge mop or other suitable mopping structure configured to allow a user to clean at least one surface. The mop-member 130 is able to be manipulated for positioning the mop-member 130 in the in-use position. The mop-member 130 preferably comprises a width approximately the same as that of the broom-member 120. The mop-member 130 and the broom-member 120 are located on opposing ends of the shaft 140 and when used in a preferred configuration and thus configured to be used interchangeably. When a user wishes to sweep, he/she may use the broom-member 120 located on one end of the shaft 140 and when the user wishes to mop, the user may use the mop-member 130 located on the opposing end of the shaft 140. The device provides a tool which combines the use of two different cleaning tools to sweep or mop into one convenient device. The shaft 140 is preferably a two-part shaft 140, as discussed subsequently.

Turning attention to FIG. 3, the hinged member 150 may comprise a pivoting hinge able to rotate about a centerline axis. The rotation is through 180 degrees (allows an arcuate motion of up to 180 degrees such that the shaft 140 becomes ‘as one’ when coupled and is able to be decoupled wherein the two portions of the shaft 140 are adjacent each other). The broom-member 120, when ready for use, is located opposing the mop-member 130. The broom-member 120 when not ready for use is located adjacent the mop-member 130 (although may be used in this positioning if so desired). The broom-member 120 is permanently affixed to the shaft 140 in preferred embodiments; however other embodiments may use removable versions. The mop-member 130 may be permanently affixed to the shaft 140. In certain embodiments, the mop-member 130 may be reusable or disposable and/or removably couplable. The broom and mop assembly 110 is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool.

Turning attention to FIG. 4, the mop-member 130 preferably comprises a width approximately similar to that of the broom-member 120 for maintaining a balanced orientation during use (mop-member 130 and said broom-member 120 are located on opposing ends of the shaft 140 and are configured to be used interchangeably during an in-use condition). It should also be noted that he broom and mop assembly 110 is able to be used when the mop-member 130 and the broom-member 120 are not located on opposing ends of the shaft 140, but are rather suitably adjacent to each other.

Turning attention to FIG. 5, showing broom and mop combination system 100, comprising: a broom and mop assembly 110 including; a broom-member 120; a mop-member 130; and a shaft 140 having a distal end 142; a proximal end 144; and a hinged member 150; and a handle 160. The broom and mop combination system 100, as such, comprises the broom and mop assembly 110; wherein the broom and mop assembly 110 comprises the broom-member 120, the mop-member 130, the shaft 140, and the handle 160 in functional combination. As above, the shaft 140 is defined by the distal end 142, the proximal end 144, and comprises the hinged member 150 attached to the broom-member 120 and the mop-member 130 for allowing rotation of the broom-member 120 in relation to the mop-member 130. The shaft 140 comprises a two-piece construction, as previously mentioned, joined by the hinged member 150 wherein the two-piece construction comes together to be coupled when used (the broom-member 120 and the mop-member 130 opposing each other).

The handle 160 is preferably located at the distal-end 142 of the shaft 140 and the mop-member 130 is located at the proximal end 144 of the shaft 140 (when hinged to the in-use condition). The mop-member 130 in preferred embodiments comprises a width approximately similar to that of the broom-member 120 for maintaining a balanced orientation during use. As designed, the broom-member 120 is able to be manipulated by rotating the broom-member 120 in relation to the mop-member 130 to an in-use position via the hinged member 150 and is able to be locked in position via a locking mechanism such that is temporarily fixed in position. The broom and mop assembly 110, as such, is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool; the broom-member 120 and the mop-member 130 located opposed to each other when the locking mechanism is in-use. The mop-member 130 and the broom-member 120 are located on opposing ends of the shaft 140, when so oriented, and are configured to be used interchangeably.

The shaft comprises a first-shaft-member 146 formed as the mop-member 130 and the shaft 140 comprises a second-shaft-member 148 formed as the broom-member 120. The first-shaft-member 146 may be greater in length than the second-shaft-member 148 or they may be equal in length.

FIGS. 6-7B show the present invention 200 and 300 respectively showing various embodiments that allow for the broom-member 120 and the mop-member 130 to be manipulated in relation to the shaft 140 for efficiency in use and during non-use periods.

The method of using the broom and mop combination system 100 will now be described. The method may include positioning a mop-member 130 in an in-use position for mopping a floor surface, positioning a broom-member 120 in an in-use position for sweeping the floor surface, cleaning the floor surface, alternating between use of the mop-member 130 and the broom-member as needed. The device may be used via the means described previously.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. A broom and mop combination system, comprising: a broom and mop assembly including; a broom-member; a mop-member; a shaft having; and a distal end; a proximal end; a hinged member; and a handle; wherein said broom and mop combination system comprises said broom and mop assembly; wherein said broom and mop assembly comprises said broom-member, said mop-member, said shaft, and said handle in functional combination; wherein said shaft is defined by said distal end, said proximal end, and comprises said hinged member for allowing rotation of said broom-member; wherein said handle is located at said distal-end of said shaft and said mop-member is located at said proximal end of said shaft; wherein said broom-member is able to be manipulated by rotating the broom-member to an in-use position via said hinged member; and wherein said broom and mop assembly is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool.
 2. The broom and mop combination system of claim 1, wherein said hinged member comprises a pivoting hinge able to rotate about a centerline axis.
 3. The broom and mop combination system of claim 2, wherein said rotation is through 180 degrees.
 4. The broom and mop combination system of claim 1, wherein said broom-member, when ready for use, is located opposing said mop-member.
 5. The broom and mop combination system of claim 1, wherein said broom-member when not ready for use is located adjacent said mop-member.
 6. The broom and mop combination system of claim 1, wherein said broom-member is permanently affixed to said shaft.
 7. The broom and mop combination system of claim 1, wherein said mop-member is permanently affixed to said shaft.
 8. The broom and mop combination system of claim 1, wherein said mop-member is reusable.
 9. The broom and mop combination system of claim 1, wherein said mop-member comprises a string-mop.
 10. A broom and mop combination system, comprising: a broom and mop assembly including; a broom-member; a mop-member; and a shaft having; a distal end; a proximal end; and a hinged member; and a handle; wherein said broom and mop combination system comprises said broom and mop assembly; wherein said broom and mop assembly comprises said broom-member, said mop-member, said shaft, and said handle in functional combination; wherein said shaft is defined by said distal end, said proximal end, and comprises said hinged member attached to said broom-member and said mop-member for allowing rotation of said broom-member in relation to said mop-member; wherein said handle is located at said distal-end of said shaft and said mop-member is located at said proximal end of said shaft; wherein said broom-member is able to be manipulated by rotating the broom-member to an in-use position via said hinged member and is able to be locked in position via a locking mechanism; and wherein said broom and mop assembly is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool, said broom-member and said mop-member located opposed to each other when said locking mechanism is in-use.
 11. The broom and mop combination system of claim 10, wherein said mop-member is disposable.
 12. The broom and mop combination system of claim 10, wherein said mop-member comprises sponge.
 13. The broom and mop combination system of claim 10, wherein said mop-member is able to be manipulated about said hinged member for positioning said mop-member in said in-use position.
 14. The broom and mop combination system of claim 10, wherein said mop-member comprises a width approximately similar to that of said broom-member for maintaining a balanced orientation during use.
 15. The broom and mop combination system of claim 10, wherein said mop-member and said broom-member are located on opposing ends of said shaft and configured to be used interchangeably.
 16. A broom and mop combination system, comprising: a broom and mop assembly including; a broom-member; a mop-member; and a shaft having; a distal end; a proximal end; and a hinged member; and a handle; wherein said broom and mop combination system comprises said broom and mop assembly; wherein said broom and mop assembly comprises said broom-member, said mop-member, said shaft, and said handle in functional combination; wherein said shaft is defined by said distal end, said proximal end, and comprises said hinged member attached to said broom-member and said mop-member for allowing rotation of said broom-member in relation to said mop-member, said shaft being a two-piece construction joined by said hinged member; wherein said handle is located at said distal-end of said shaft and said mop-member is located at said proximal end of said shaft; wherein said mop-member comprises a width approximately similar to that of said broom-member for maintaining a balanced orientation during use; wherein said broom-member is able to be manipulated by rotating the broom-member to an in-use position via said hinged member and is able to be locked in position via a locking mechanism; wherein said broom and mop assembly is configured to provide a mop and broom combination tool, said broom-member and said mop-member located opposed to each other when said locking mechanism is in-use; and wherein said mop-member and said broom-member are located on opposing ends of said shaft and configured to be used interchangeably.
 17. The broom and mop combination system of claim 16, wherein said shaft comprises a first-shaft-member formed as said mop-member.
 18. The broom and mop combination system of claim 16, wherein said shaft comprises a second-shaft-member formed as said broom-member.
 19. The broom and mop combination system of claim 16, wherein said shaft comprises a first-shaft-member formed as said mop-member and a second-shaft-member formed as said broom-member wherein said first-shaft-member is greater in length than said second-shaft-member.
 20. The broom and mop combination system of claim 16, wherein said shaft comprises a first-shaft-member formed as said mop-member and a second-shaft-member formed as said broom-member wherein said first-shaft-member is equal in length to said second-shaft-member. 